The Kingdom of God as Liturgical Empire: A Theological Commentary on 1-2 Chronicles - Paperback

by Scott W. Hahn (Author)

Bestselling author and theologian Scott Hahn views the author of Chronicles as the first biblical theologian. Chronicles offers the first attempt to understand and interpret the entire sweep of Old Testament history from the creation of the world to the Israelites' return from exile.

This commentary presents 1-2 Chronicles as a liturgical and theological interpretation of Israel's history. Hahn emphasizes the liturgical structure and content of Chronicles and provides fresh insight on salvation history: past, present, and future. He also shows how Chronicles provides important insights into key New Testament concepts. The book gives professors, students, and pastors a better understanding of Chronicles, salvation history, and theological interpretation of the Old Testament.

Back Jacket

In this rich theological commentary, Scott Hahn gives a powerful account of Chronicles' inner unity. The church, the sacraments, Marian devotion--these are all shown to have their roots in Chronicles in this profoundly Catholic reading that also offers a bracing rebuke to the long, sad history of Protestant disparagement of ritual, priests, and temple worship in the Bible.
--Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School

"Hahn's brilliantly illuminating commentary on Chronicles is an important contribution to the renewal of biblical scholarship. Demonstrating a master's command of the entirety of biblical revelation, Hahn shows how the Chronicler both gave focus to the story of Israel and provided the foundation for much of the New Testament meditation on Jesus. This book is written with extraordinary passion and intelligence. I recommend it warmly to both scholars and preachers."
--Robert Barron, Mundelein Seminary, University of St. Mary of the Lake

"Drawing upon a wide array of Jewish and Christian interpreters, Hahn persuasively presents Chronicles as a powerful exemplar of the typological, covenantal, and liturgical exegesis that has shaped the Christian tradition of biblical interpretation. For readers who think of Chronicles as rather dull, this book will reintroduce the richness of Scripture."
--Matthew Levering, University of Dayton

"A scriptural symphony, weaving together themes from Old and New Testaments into a remarkable theological synthesis. This lucid and insightful volume deserves to be on the shelf of anyone interested in the theological interpretation of Scripture."
--Rodrigo Morales, Marquette University

"In this masterful commentary, Hahn shows that a key to understanding the biblical concept of the kingdom lies hidden in the often overlooked work of the Chronicler and his history of the liturgical empire of David. Hahn has produced something very rare: a commentary that is rigorously exegetical, profoundly theological, and a must read. This is biblical theology at its best!"
--Brant Pitre, Notre Dame Seminary

"Hahn demonstrates what Pope Benedict XVI has affirmed, that authentic biblical criticism can be done best with a hermeneutic of faith and continuity. A thoroughly enjoyable read that shows how the key of liturgy unlocks a much deeper understanding of the whole of Scripture, I believe this is Hahn's magnum opus."
--Marcus Grodi, host, The Journey Home (EWTN)

Author Biography

Scott W. Hahn (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of Scripture and theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio, and holds the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at St. Vincent Seminary. Founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, he is the author of over twenty books, including Covenant and Communion, The Lamb's Supper, Reasons to Believe, and Kinship by Covenant, and coauthor of Rome Sweet Home. Hahn is also the general editor of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, The Catholic Bible Dictionary, and Letter and Spirit: A Journal of Catholic Biblical Theology.